STRASBOURG (ANP) – The European Union must accept that we live in a world of pure power. This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a speech to the European Parliament. According to the President, the situation with Greenland, events in Venezuela, and the war in Ukraine demonstrate that the international order has not only changed very rapidly, but that this is also “permanent.”

Just as she did Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Von der Leyen reiterated that Europe must therefore hurry to become more independent. “Whether it concerns our economy or our security, technology or democracy, we must stand strong ourselves if we want to shape the world around us.”

She said she believes the EU can change quickly, “just as we did during the energy crisis or the pandemic.” Just as the world is changing rapidly, so too must “our institutions, governments, and societies—all of us,” Von der Leyen said.

Regarding Greenland, she reiterated her belief that the tariffs imposed by the United States are wrong. At the same time, she warned that the EU should not enter a downward spiral with allies like the US. A majority of the European Parliament has indicated it wants to postpone a vote on the trade deal with the US due to the tensions surrounding Greenland.
EU leaders will meet for an emergency meeting on the EU’s response to the US tariffs.